Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition in which individuals feel anxiety and panic when reminded of a traumatic event. According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 7 to 8 percent of the U.S. population will have PTSD at some point in their lives.

TxBDC was recently awarded a four-year grant that could result in funding of up to $6.4 million to study a potential new therapy for individuals who suffer from PTSD. The grant is part of DARPA’s ElectRx program, which aims to develop groundbreaking technologies that would use the body’s innate neurophysiology to restore and maintain health.

Researchers at TxBDC are exploring Targeted Plasticity Therapy (TPT) using vagus nerve stimulation during exposure therapy to reduce the fear response. The DARPA grant has provided support for research at nine labs at UT Dallas and a team of about 30 researchers, including professors, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, engineers and staff.